Advice Dorset Partnership E News No 13: 26 September 2024

Information updates

BENEFITS

How the transitional element is calculated when you move to Universal Credit: The DWP has issued new guidance – here –  for claimants migrating to universal credit on how the transitional element is calculated. It advises that the element is calculated by comparing universal credit award based on circumstances on day before claim with amount received from legacy benefits.

Work Capability Assessments [WCA]: The most recent edition of the DWP’s guidance for healthcare professionals carrying out WCAs, the “WCA Handbook”, makes it clear that claimants have the right to audio record their assessment using any device they choose, including their phone. This brings the WCA into line with PIP assessments. Previously, whilst claimants could record their PIP assessment on any device, WCAs could only be recorded by the claimant if they had expensive dual recording equipment which provided both the claimant and the DWP with a copy of the recording.  The WCA Handbook is here.

DEBT /  FINANCIAL

Mortgage charter data: The  Mortgage Charter policy paper – here –   introduced in June 2023 contains commitments, over and above FCA requirements, to help clients struggling with mortgage payments. Data just released from the FCA suggests that around 1.4 million mortgages have benefited from the Charter so far. Commitments include:

• not to force a borrower to leave their home, unless in exceptional circumstances, less than a year from their first missed payment
• to allow customers to get a new deal up to 6 months before the end of a fixed-rate deal, and to request a better like-for-like deal up until the new one starts
• without assessing affordability, to permit customers who are up to date with their payments to switch to interest-only for 6 months, or extend their mortgage term with the option to revert to their original term within 6 months

EMPLOYMENT

Supporting disabled workers with hybrid working: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published new guidance – here –  for employers on supporting disabled workers with hybrid working. This discusses:

• the law related to making reasonable adjustments for disabled workers
• how to identify when a worker or job applicant may need an adjustment
• Identifying barriers to effective hybrid working and identifying the most appropriate adjustments
• general advice on how an employer can make the working environment more inclusive and accessible for disabled workers
• how to have conversations with workers about their health and potential adjustments, and examples of appropriate questions to ask

The EHRC guidance also sets out case studies with examples of how reasonable adjustments can address barriers to hybrid working for disabled workers.

UTILITIES / ENERGY

Ofcom guidance on broadband information: Under new Ofcom guidance, broadband providers must be clear to people who are signing up to a contract what type of network technology they will be using. They must

• give a short description of the network technology using clear terms such as “cable”, “copper”, “full-fibre” or “part-fibre”
• not use the term “fibre” on its own
• give a more thorough explanation of the technology, for example through a link, so consumers can understand what it means to them

Read the guidance here.

Immersion heater settings: With the colder weather coming, Citizens Advice have made it easier to find the correct advice depending on whether or not you have a time-of-use tariff.  They’ve also explained in more detail how to set an immersion heater timer, so that the time is correct and the heating isn’t left on permanently. Read more here.

Ofgem – OVO customer complaints:  After concerns were raised by Citizens Advice about Extra Help Unit customer complaints and Energy Ombudsman remedies, Ofgem identified failings in how OVO handled customer complaints. OVO will now pay £387,512 in compensation to affected customers, who will be contacted directly without needing to take any action. OVO will also pay £2 million to the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme. Read the press release here.

LEAP – Local Energy Advice Partnership:  LEAP is currently offering free home energy advice visits, the installation of free energy saving devices, heating tune-ups for home owners and referrals for further support and funding to reduce energy bills, improve health and increase income. Please note: The LEAP boiler scheme will re-open on 1st October 2024 (The LEAP Boiler scheme is only applicable to qualifying homeowners with a broken gas boiler and in a no-heat situation).  Read more from Ridgewater Energy.

IMMIGRATION

eVisas – clients to get texts about creating an account:  UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has begun sending text message notifications to BRP holders to encourage them to create a UKVI account. There may  be some people who don’t know what to do or who want assistance in creating an account. Any client with a BRP should be encouraged to create an account, even if they haven’t received a text or email.

REMINDERS:

• ALL clients who have a BRP/BRC will need to transition to eVisa before the end of 2024.  Please be aware that any person  who is not British and living in the UK with some kind of Visa status, Indefinite Leave to Remain, Refugee Status  will need reminding that they need to transition to eVisa. They can do the transition here.
• EEA nationals who already have status under the EU Settlement Scheme will not need to create an eVisa, as EUSS is already a digital status. However, if they have brought family members from outside the EEA to join them, those family members may need to transition to eVisa.
• The DWP do not need to reassess benefit entitlement:  We understand that the Home Office said in July/August that the DWP had been informed that dates on BRP’s are expiry dates only of the BRP, NOT the leave, but local Citizens Advice have some evidence that people are  being told that their benefits end or they need to prove their status again – even when their BRP card says “Settlement” or “Indefinite Leave to Remain” or “No Time Limit” right on the front.

Colleagues at Citizens Advice BCP have produced this poster and  Swansea Uni a step-by step guide:

evisa posterr-26092024133234

e-Visas-step-by-step-guide-Aug-2024

Events

Economic abuse through Joint Mortgages:  Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) has completed a report looking into economic abuse through joint mortgages. The report confirms that 1 in 5 women have experienced economic abuse in the UK, and that 1 in 8 women who have a joint mortgage have experienced economic abuse from their current or a former partner. Economic abuse includes the control of a survivor’s ability to acquire or use financial resources for housing, food or transportation. Economic abuse may often be a part of other forms of abuse such as physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

Renters Rights Bill: The Government has published its Renters’ Rights Bill (“the RRB”). The provisions are, to a large extent, based on the last Government’s abandoned Renters (Reform) Bill, but there is a significant shift in emphasis and some important changes. Some people may think “Section 21” has now been abolished, however, the RRB is not yet in force. It will have its second reading on 9 October 2024 and is likely to be subject to amendments as it passes through Parliament. You can follow the progress of the bill here

Funding news

Triangle Trust’s Autumn Funding Round Opens for UK Applications: This round offers grants of up to £80,000 over two years for proposals focused on targeted work with high-risk young women and girls ages 11 and 30 who are on the edge of the criminal justice system.

Registered charities, not-for-profit social enterprises and community interest companies that are working within the UK  can apply as long as they can clearly show that women and girls make up at least 80% of their total beneficiaries across their whole organisation. They need to have a proven track record of running projects with vulnerable and challenging young women and girls between the ages of 11 and 30 years, and their work is both gender and trauma informed.

There is particular interest in funding projects working with young women and girls who are care experienced, come from Black or minoritized/racialised communities and work that is led by people with lived experience.

The Autumn 2024 application window opens on 16 September and closes on 30 October 2024 – read more here.

Asda Foundation:  Grants to Support Grassroots Community Groups,  working with in-store Asda Community Champions to award grants to the local groups that need them most. The Asda Foundation Grassroots programme has three funding streams and applications are now accepted:

• Empowering Local Communities: initiatives to address diverse local challenges and support local initiatives for residents over the age of 18 years.
• Under 18 Better Starts: projects to tackle poverty, address inclusion and boost wellbeing for children and young people under 18 years.
• Cost of Living: support for local community groups to help with volunteer-related costs, rent/utilities expenses and food/essentials.

Charities and not-for-profit organisations based in the UK can apply grants of between £400 and £2,000. Read more here.